Iraq News

UN rights chief urges states to repatriate families of ISIS fighters

The UN rights chief called Monday (June 24th) for countries to repatriate family members of suspected foreign fighters in Syria, including thousands of foreign children of "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) fighters, AFP reported.

The call from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet came as world leaders face divisive decisions over the families of foreign extremist fighters captured or killed in Syria and Iraq.

Australia on Monday confirmed that eight orphans of Australian ISIS fighters had been spirited out of a camp in Syria and were now under the government's care.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had previously indicated his government would only help citizens if they approached an embassy or consulate.

Morrison said Australia's decision to assume care of the eight children, believed to be aged between 2 and 17, was not "made lightly". But ultimately he concluded "children should not be punished for the crimes of their parents".

ISIS fighters from nearly 50 countries have been detained in Syria and Iraq, and more than 11,000 of their family members are being held in Syria's al-Hol camp.

In a speech to the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council, Bachelet sought to provide clarity to governments uncertain how to handle the families -- and especially children -- of extremist fighters from their country.

"Foreign family members should be repatriated, unless they are to be prosecuted for crimes in accordance with international standards," she said.

"Children, in particular, have suffered grievous violations of their rights, including those who may have been indoctrinated or recruited by ISIS to perpetrate violent acts," she said.

"The primary consideration must be their rehabilitation, protection and best interests."

The UN rights chief pointed to UNICEF estimates that there are some 29,000 children of foreign fighters in Syria -- 20,000 of them from Iraq -- and most of them under 12.

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